hello all,
a few months ago i switched from a back pack to a seat-post supported bag for my commute (35-ish km round trip), to save my aging back. it does help, considerably, in that regard. however, i am not surewhether it is the solution i had hoped it would be. my experience is it really affects handling, probably because it sits quite high, and, yes, maybe because i do overstuff it. On my surly pacer it often feels like my whole bike is bending when i am out of the saddle. on my far chunkier single-speed it is much better but the lack of gears and extra weight nearly breaks my knees up even moderate hills. for those who can compare, do panniers impact on handling as much as seat post mounted bags or large saddlebags? of course, it is possible i just need to accept the difference in feel and not push so hard, but i hate feeling limited in terms of how much i can exert myself. panneirs may well be the best option, but i have never ridden with them.
thanks!

I've ridden with a back pack, panniers, and a saddle bag. The saddle bag is the best option of the three. the back pack is the worst. Panniers are nice (and I still ride with them the most - just because of the amount of stuff I carry most of the time) but remember, you need a rack, too. And if you think you can stuff a saddlebag really full, just remember that you can fill two (even four) panniers with a lot more stuff than fits in a saddlebag.

At this time of the year, I can fit everything I need for my commute into my jersey pockets. During the wet time of the year... it's panniers most of the time.

Each option has their own characteristics. Just depends which one you like. Well, everyone pretty much agrees backpacks suck...so...

Saddle bags bring the weight more to the cetner of the bike. However the weight is higher, which some riders don't like because it makes the bike feel tippy.

Panniers keep the center of gravity lower, but the weight is more biased to the rear. Wich can make it feel like you're dragging an elephant sometimes.

It's a matter of preferrence. That being said. I use a Carradice saddle bag.

I prefer a messenger bag for short distances when it isn't hot, but when it's hot I really like a trunk bag because panniers always have to be loaded on both sides for the weight distribution not to throw you off-balance.

Depends on the load and how balance-conscious you are. I commute year round, sometimes with one pannier, sometimes with both. When I use just one, it's full, especially if I stop for groceries on my way home. It doesn't have much of an impact.

--J

thanks for the feedback. so, i guess my fantasy of a carrying system that has no impact on handling and bike feel is just that - a fantasy. maybe i'll get used to having something dangling from my bike in a few more months...i must admit that the first time i tried the saddlebag it really sucked and i promptly took it off, and have been off and on with it on each bike trying for a nice solution over the last while. oddly, a solution might be an IGH for the singlespeed since carrying stuff on that feels best! or, gearing down from 50/18 to something more moderate.

for the DL and Intherain who ride with saddlebags do you have very stout frames, and which carradice do you favour?

You will adapt. When you first try riding a fully loaded bike (front and rear panniers, handlebar bag, tent, sleeping bag, etc., etc.) in the 65-85 lb range, it's a bit of a chore. When you adapt to it, it's nothing at all and you have the peace of mind, knowing that someone not used to riding with a load like that, doesn't have a chance in hell of being able to ride off with the bike.

Try putting a traditional rack on and using the trunk bag. I've gone both ways and I aggree 100% about the top heavy feel of the seatpost mounted rack with loaded trunk, but the lower, more rearward stance of a traditional rack can make life a little better. As was mentioned before, your COG will be farther back, which IMO can make the front end twitchy on some bikes. I find different bikes react differently....I like the higher, but more centered COG that a seat post rack offers on my roadbike, but on my tourer and commuter, the bikes feel more planted and stable with the weight on a traditional rack. Another arguement for a tradional rack is options. As you ride more, you will want to be able to carry more.

It seems like an odd question to me, because I always felt I was able to handle any bike 1000x better with all my gear on any kind of rack setup than with a loose, soft sided, sweat machine of a backpack on my back. Once you get used to the new COG, you will wonder why anyone would ride with a backpack in the first place.

I think the effect on handling largely depends on the rigidity of the attachment which can vary with all types of systems. I switched from panniers to trunk bag to discourage myself from carrying twice as much stuff as I needed.

Another cheaper alternative is just tie the backpack with bungee cords on the rear rack. It works fine for my commute. Stores all the tools, lunch, change clothes, locks etc.... cost = 0.

Since I already have a rack on the bike I just use an REI trunk bag which holds all that I need. If I need to carry more gear I'll just toss a pannier on one side.

I also keep a very small handlebar bag on the bike where I put the gloves, keys, wallet, and cell phone.

I had a Topeak seatpost rack when I owned a bike that didn't have rack eyelets. Topeak is a good company but the seatpost rack and bag didn't work for me. It was heavy and tended to rotate around the seatpost no matter how much I tightened it.

Now I have one bike with a Carradice Barley seatbag, and two bikes with racks and panniers. I am able to carry my lunch to work in the saddlebag and bring the scrubs I wore that day home. It's a tight fit. The Barley is a medium sized bag, though.

Panniers offer more flexibility. If I'm on a bike with panniers, unexpected shopping trips are doable. They do add weight but I'm not real concerned with that.